An American homeowner was left astonished after pulling up the old carpets in her living room and uncovering something unexpected beneath. Alex Engberg from Wilmington, North Carolina, has been documenting her property-buying journey on social media, including the process of selecting new carpets.
However, when she removed the tired green carpets in her new home's living room, she could hardly believe her luck at what had been hidden underneath. In a TikTok video, Alex panned her camera around the room, revealing a large pile of old carpet in the centre of the spacious living room, surrounded by beautiful hardwood floors that had been concealed beneath.
'Buying an older home and ripping up the carpets to find perfect original hardwood floors,' she wrote in the overlay text of the clip. She added in the caption that it was 'a dream come true'.
Viewers Share Excitement
Alex was not the only one thrilled by the unexpected discovery. Numerous viewers flocked to the comments section to express their delight. One person wrote: 'How does it feel to live my dreammmmm.' Another commented: 'Yeah I'm sat for your renovation content this place is gonna look like a dream.' A fellow home renovator also chimed in, sharing: 'Mine are so good too except PAINTED.'
How to Check for Hardwood Under Carpet
For those hoping to replicate Alex's find, there is a straightforward way to check whether original hardwood floors are hidden under carpet without tearing up the entire floor. Carefully peel back a corner of the carpet in a discreet area, such as inside a wardrobe corner, or remove a heat register vent to examine the layers beneath.
If solid wood measuring at least three quarters of an inch thick is found, there is a strong chance of original hardwood flooring. Before fully committing, examine the edge of the boards. Genuine hardwood floors will display a consistent, solid grain pattern running throughout, rather than the layered appearance typical of plywood or MDF. It is also worth checking for any signs of excessive moisture, black staining, or rot.
